Facial paralysis in a benign osseous parotid tumor: a case report

This unique lesion has not been described in the literature so far. It appears to have originated from the base of the skull (i.e., styloid process of the temporal bone). Its pathology was extensively reviewed and it appeared to be a benign proliferative mass, but had produced a total facial nerve paralysis with invasion and destruction of the nerve. Although not palpable clinically, it had invaded the deep lobe of the parotid gland, thus reinforcing the importance of a work-up with CT scans and MR imaging to work-up a facial paralysis of unknown cause lasting more than 6 months.